Phenakite
| Colour | Clear, White |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 7.5–8 |
| Lustre | Vitreous |
| Crystal system | Trigonal |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Cleavage | Distinct on {110}, imperfect on {101} |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Chemical formula | Be 2 SiO 4 |
| Specific gravity | 2.93–3.00 |
What is Phenakite?
Phenakite or phenacite is a fairly rare nesosilicate mineral consisting of beryllium orthosilicate, Be2SiO4. Occasionally used as a gemstone, phenakite occurs as isolated crystals, which are rhombohedral with parallel-faced hemihedrism, and are either lenticular or prismatic in habit: the lenticular habit is determined by the development of faces of several obtuse rhombohedra and the absence of prism faces. There is no cleavage, and the fracture is conchoidal. The Mohs hardness is high, being 7.5–8; the specific gravity is 2.96. The crystals are sometimes perfectly colorless and transparent, b
How to identify Phenakite
- Lustre: Vitreous.
- Hardness: Mohs 7.5–8 — hard enough to scratch glass.
- Habit: Trigonal crystal system.
Phenakite in different forms
Stones often confused with Phenakite
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Phenakite?
Phenakite is Mohs 7.5–8 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Phenakite?
Phenakite is typically clear, white (Colorless, yellow, pink, brown).